Tuesday, Howard University named Ben Vinson III, a scholar of the African diaspora, as the new President. He will succeed Wayne A.I. Frederick starting September 1st. Fredrick is stepping down after ten years of service to the University.

Vinson will be the 18th president since Howard University was founded in 1867. He told the Washington Post, “There are so many things about Howard right now that really distinguish it as what I would call a fast-moving locomotive train.”

According to The Dig, Vinson is a true academic leader. He comes to the University after serving at Case Western Reserve University as provost and Executive Vice President. He previously taught in Baltimore at John Hopkins University, where he went on to be the founding of the Center Of Africana Studies, then Vice Dean for centers, interdisciplinary studies, and graduate education. He was also the Dean of George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

The Board Of Trustees unanimously voted for Vinson. Laurence C. Morse, chair of the board, said, “Both his academic research and the initiatives he’s championed as a higher education leader have demonstrated his commitment to elevating the diversity of experiences of people of the African diaspora – a commitment that aligns well with Howard University’s mission and vision,” says Laurence C. Morse, chair of the board.

Welcome to The Mecca Ben Vinson III